Trump Picked The Wrong Photo Of Melania To Tout 'American Labor'

Jamie Feldman
Updated

President Donald Trump has been widely criticized for his hypocritical “buy American, hire American” rhetoric, since his and his family’s own products are made mostly abroad.

Now he’s under fire for his Labor Day tweet, which touted American labor by American hands, but included a photo of the first lady wearing a dress made in Italy.

“We are building our future with American hands, American labor, American iron, aluminum and steel,” he tweeted.“Happy #LaborDay!”

Melania Trump is pictured wearing a dress by Greek designer Mary Katrantzou that was made in Italy with French materials. It’s not known who designed or manufactured the president’s suit (the White House did not immediately respond to an inquiry), but if the suit or tie is the president’s own label, it was likely made either in China, Mexico or Indonesia.

The photo of the couple was taken at the congressional picnic in June in Washington, D.C., and the $2,255 dress is currently sold out at both Neiman Marcus and Farfetch.

Hm. (Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
Hm. (Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)

As expected, people on social media had plenty to say about the photo choice.

Melania Trump is not exactly known for championing American fashion, and other first ladies also included international designers in their closets. She can wear what she wants. But considering the purpose of the tweet, there were at least a few other, more American outfits the president could have chosen.

Here’s the first lady wearing Ralph Lauren on election night in November 2016:

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Could have gone with this one, Donald.  (Photo: JIM WATSON via Getty Images)
Could have gone with this one, Donald.  (Photo: JIM WATSON via Getty Images)

Here she is in Michael Kors during Trump’s first address to Congress in February:

Or this one. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Or this one. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)

And here she is wearing Los Angeles-based designer Monique Lhullier en route to a rally in Youngstown, Ohio in July:

Or... this one. (Photo: TASOS KATOPODIS via Getty Images)
Or... this one. (Photo: TASOS KATOPODIS via Getty Images)

So, there were options, and the president’s message is contradicted once again by his and his family’s personal choices. If the Trumps want to focus on buying and hiring American, perhaps they should start with their own closets and production lines.

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Also on HuffPost

Sophie Theallet

Sophie Theallet ignited&nbsp;the conversation about&nbsp;dressing Melania Trump&nbsp;when she<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sophie-theallet-melania-trump_us_582efd3ee4b099512f82437e?od6neub49ioei2j4i">&nbsp;wrote an open letter</a>&nbsp;in November 2016 refusing to do it&nbsp;-- and&nbsp;encouraging other designers to follow suit.&nbsp;&ldquo;As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect for all lifestyles, <a href="https://twitter.com/sophietheallet/status/799378444249399300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" data-beacon="{&quot;p&quot;:{&quot;lnid&quot;:&quot;I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next first lady&quot;,&quot;mpid&quot;:8,&quot;plid&quot;:&quot;https://twitter.com/sophietheallet/status/799378444249399300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;}}" data-beacon-parsed="true">I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next first lady</a>," she wrote.

Tom Ford

Tom Ford was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tom-ford-melania-trump_us_58402a08e4b017f37fe2d6b0">refusing to dress Melania Trump</a> even before she became first lady. Ford said on&nbsp;"The View" in December 2016 that he'd previously declined to dress Trump&nbsp;because she&nbsp;is "not necessarily my&nbsp;image," adding his belief that&nbsp;the first lady, no matter who she is, should wear clothing the American people can relate to. President-elect Donald Trump responded by claiming&nbsp;Ford was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/01/18/donald-trump-tom-ford_n_14253600.html">never asked to dress his wife.</a> "I'm not a fan of Tom Ford," he said.

Christian Siriano

Although&nbsp;he originally said&nbsp;in December 2016 he would have to wait and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBm0FmlnRa8" target="_blank">"see how it goes" </a>before making a decision about dressing Melania Trump, Siriano told Time&nbsp;in April 2017 he doesn't think he would dress the first lady. "She is representing what&rsquo;a happening politically and what&rsquo;s happening politically right now is not really good for anyone,&rdquo; he said.

Zac Posen

Posen said in March 2017 that he doesn't plan on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/zac-posen-doesnt-want-to-dress-the-trumps_us_58c6a9d6e4b0ed71826dfefd">dressing the first lady</a> any time soon. "I'm staying away from bringing my brand into politics," he said, citing "issues that are being questioned that are fundamentally upsetting" to him including LGBT and women's rights.

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs told WWD in November 2016 that he "has no interest whatsoever" in dressing the first lady, opting instead to put his "energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters."
Marc Jacobs told WWD in November 2016 that he "has no interest whatsoever" in dressing the first lady, opting instead to put his "energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters."

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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